Meredith Wenskoski, a landscape architect at Design Workshop, shows the designs for Denver’s proposed flood-control projects at an April 6 meeting.

Residents in Denver will see big increases in storm drainage and sewer fees over the next five years after the City Council early Tuesday approved the hikes as part of a new flood-control plan.

Storm and sewer fees will pay for the Platte to Park Hill flood control plan and other projects in the city. On average, a homeowner will see increases in fees totaling $116 over the next five years. The Platte to Park Hill project could cost up to $298 million.

“It’s no longer acceptable that we have areas that flooding puts life at risk,” said councilman Jolon Clark, who voted for the rate hike.

The measure passed on an 8-3 vote, with councilmen Kevin Flynn, Rafael Espinoza and Paul Kashmann voting against the measure. Councilwomen Robin Kniech and Debbie Ortega did not attend the meeting. A motion to postpone the vote until Aug. 29 failed.

“I think this should be done more incrementally like we have done on most drainage projects,” Flynn said. “I don’t really like voting no on this project but it is the largest project we have ever done on wastewater. I feel we’re putting the cart before the horse.”

Platte to Park Hill would reduce flooding in some parts of the Lower Montclair Basin by improving storm drainage in north and northeast Denver. A detention area would be created at City Park Golf Course. That has been the project’s most contentious issue. The golf course would have to be closed for about 16 months.

The Interstate 70 expansion project is linked to the city’s plan because the interstate would be built below grade would benefit from drainage improvements.

At a public hearing early Tuesday, residents said the project would do little to improve drainage south of I-70, while fees will be collected from residents who live throughout Denver.

Some accused the council of having already made up its mind on the project before the public hearing and final vote.

“We all know you’re going to pass this. It’s a kabuki dance,” Denver resident Thad Tecza said during the hearing.

Joel Noble of Curtis Park Neighbors said he hasn’t heard of any controversial issues coming from residents in that neighborhood and that he favors the project.

“I wish this would have been communicated better, but I’m more concerned about the possibility we might not pass this,” Noble said.

Meanwhile, a lawsuit was announced Monday against Denver’s plan, claiming that a detention pond at the golf course goes against the city’s charter and zoning codes. It was filed by former Colorado Attorney General J.D. MacFarlane.

“The city’s planned misuse of designated parkland — which has met significant public resistance — at a tremendous cost to Denver stormwater ratepayers to benefit the I-70 project and other construction adds further insult to injury,” said attorney Aaron Goldhamer, who is representing MacFarlane.

David Broadwell of the Denver City Attorney’s Office said he believes the city is in good standing on using the golf course for water detention.

“We’re prepared to defend it and we believe we will defend it successfully,” he told the council.

Updated June 14 at 8:00 a.m.The following corrected information has been added to this article: Because of a reporting error, this story has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of Joel Noble.

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